Notes From Our First (Amazing!) Class

The New Testament term for "beloved" is agapetos."  It can be understood as meaning "be loved,"
"esteemed," or "worthy of love."

It was noted right away that the term agape is in it, agape being the "purest love," a "love for someone as they are, seeking nothing in return."

The example of Fred Rogers, and what he taught to children about receiving and practicing agape love, was lifted up in appreciation.

We said that life in the "Beloved Community," the community of Agape Love:
--is not about conformity, or "fitting in."
--is non-judgemental  (the course in learning a non-judgemental way of being is concurrent with developing the capacity to listen deeply).
--engages different measures of value than the dominant community.
-- is where "our job is to love people."
-- is where expectation is suspended.
--is where love does not require liking.
--is where psin is tended.
--is where people are affirmed, and "not required to play stupid games."

We discussed the words of Jesus, where he says he comes only to call sinners.
In the NT, "sin" does not just mean doing something wrong.  Sin can be:
the experience of separation; distance (from God, one another, our own deepest selves); isolation;
lostness; feeling discarded; unheard; broken.  We noted that individuals can both inflict suffering and experience suffering.

 Jesus starts where we are, affirms our deep,God-given humanity, our brokenness and our giftendess, the fullness of our stories and the truths in them.  Jesus establishes healing space, loving space, safe and freed territory. He invites awareness.

Can the church become a safe, affirming, humanizing space; a sanctuary that invites awareness, respect, learning, self-giving and risk; tending of wounds and celebration of gifts?  Can we learn deep listening and be cured of our judgment?

Life in the Beloved Community engages relationship, move-ment, unbinding, living together into God's promised future.

The experience of being loved is critical. The acceptance of love can be difficult, even though its power is transforming.  "Accepting love ignites love,' someone observed.

It was noted that Jesus referred to himself most frequently as the "Son of Man:"  the "Human One," or "True Human."

In Beloved Community, the invitation may be to discover our true humanity!


These are just notes, representing a much deeper discussion.
What would you add?
What does all of this have to do with the ministry of St. Andrew's Church?